VIENNA, WV – The Livingstone women's basketball team will kick off its 2011-2012 season this weekend with two games in the CIAA-WVIAC Challenge hosted by Ohio Valley University.

The Blue Bears, who won 16 games last season, the most since the 1999-2000 season, will begin the tournament Friday at 8 p.m. against the Fighting Scots of Ohio Valley University.  Ohio Valley finished last season with a 14-13 overall record with an 8-6 mark at home.

Saturday at 2 p.m., the Blue Bears will take on the Blues of Bluefield State University.  Bluefield State was 3-24 overall last season.

Livingstone will be counting on a veteran group of seniors to lead the Blue Bears this year.  Montiya Harrison, Rashida Elbourne and Elicia Gilliam-Washington will each play a vital role in the success of the team this season.

Elbourne was the team's second-leading scorer last season, averaging 12.3 points per game.  Gilliam-Washington had averaged 5.6 points per game last season before an injury in early February ended her season.  Harrison was the team-leader in assists, averaging 4.5 assists per game while scoring 7.7 points per contest.

The Blue Bears will host their first contest of the season on Wednesday, November 16 at 5:30 p.m. against the Crusaders of Belmont-Abbey.